Istanbul straddles two continents and two millennia—a city where Byzantine domes meet Ottoman minarets and modern café life hums between them. Formerly Constantinople, it guarded the Silk Road and the Bosphorus, and today it still feels like the center of a story in motion.

Highlights include the monumental Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the subterranean mystery of the Basilica Cistern, and palaces that glitter with tile and gold. Markets hum with bargaining and spice, ferries whisk you between Europe and Asia, and neighborhoods like Balat, Karaköy, and Kadıköy reveal the city’s daily rhythm.

Practical notes: mosques close to visitors during prayer; modest dress is required. Topkapi Palace is typically closed Tuesdays; Dolmabahçe is usually closed Mondays. IstanbulKart works on trams, ferries, metro, and buses. Expect superb coffee, legendary baklava, grilled fish by the water, and a nightlife scene from mellow jazz to Bosphorus-view cocktail bars.

Istanbul

Imagine your days beginning with the call to prayer over Sultanahmet and ending with tea under a Galata sunset. Istanbul rewards curiosity: peek into hans (caravanserais), plunge into labyrinthine bazaars, then lift off on a ferry to watch palaces, yali mansions, and hilltop mosques glide by.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Chora mosaics (Kariye Mosque), Çamlıca Mosque.
• Neighborhoods to wander: Sultanahmet for classics; Karaköy and Galata for cafés and boutiques; Balat/Fener for color and history; Bebek, Arnavutköy, and Ortaköy for Bosphorus views; Kadıköy and Moda for standout food on the Asian side.
• What to taste: simit with kaymak and honey, menemen, lahmacun, fish sandwiches, Adana kebab, mezes, baklava, Turkish delight, and strong Turkish coffee.

How to get to Istanbul: Fly into IST (Istanbul Airport) or SAW (Sabiha Gökçen). Compare fares on Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com (global flights), and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop flight times: 3–4 hours from Central Europe, ~9–11 hours from East Coast USA, ~12–14 from West Coast. Sale fares can be ~$120–$250 roundtrip from Europe and ~$650–$1,100 from North America.

Airport to city: Havaist shuttles connect IST to Sultanahmet/Taksim (45–75 minutes, traffic-dependent). Taxis take about similar time; request the meter and expect variable pricing with traffic. The metro line (M11) links IST to the city’s network for a budget-friendly ride using an IstanbulKart.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Palace-level stays with Bosphorus views: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul.
• Old City boutique classic: Sirkeci Mansion (steps to Gülhane Park and tram), Legacy Ottoman Hotel, Hotel Momento.
• Bosphorus-side gems (Arnavutköy/Sarıyer): Ajia Hotel, Fuat Paşa Yalısı.
• Social/budget favorite: Cheers Hostel.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Istanbul, Hotels.com Istanbul.

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet first look, sunset on the Golden Horn

Morning: Fly in and settle at your hotel. If you arrive early, grab a strong Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz (thick foam, tiny cup, big flavor) or Coffee Sapiens in Karaköy for specialty brews.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs in Sultanahmet. Walk Gülhane Park’s plane trees, then step to Sultanahmet Square to see the Hippodrome obelisks and fountains. For a light bite, try Pideban for hot-out-of-the-oven pide or Sultanahmet Köftecisi for classic grilled köfte.

Evening: Watch fishermen line Galata Bridge as ferries crisscross the Bosphorus. Dinner ideas: Karaköy Lokantası (polished meyhane with gorgeous tiles; reserve), Balıkçı Sabahattin (grilled sea bream and mezes in an old wooden house), or Pandeli (historic tiled dining room above the Spice Bazaar). Nightcap at 5 Cocktails & More in Beyoğlu or Nardis Jazz Club for live sets.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern

Morning: Begin with a guided deep dive into the city’s spiritual heart. Join this small-group experience to understand the Byzantine and Ottoman layers and skip potential queues: Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour.

Note: Hagia Sophia’s upper galleries require a ticket for visitors; the main prayer hall is a mosque. Dress modestly and avoid prayer times.

Afternoon: Break for lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta (succulent köfte, piyaz bean salad) or try Saray Muhallebicisi for chicken breast pudding and savory plates. Then descend into the Basilica Cistern to see Medusa heads under a forest of columns and a dreamy play of light and water.

Evening: Wander to Cağaloğlu Hamam’s exterior for photos, then dine on mezes at Meze By Lemon Tree near Şişhane or at Neolokal (inventive Anatolian cuisine with views; book ahead). Finish with baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—try pistachio “fıstıklı” and “şöbiyet.”

Day 3: Topkapi Palace, Gülhane gardens, and Galata views

Morning: Tour Topkapi Palace and its Harem, treasury, and tile-rich chambers. Plan around typical closure on Tuesdays. Go early to beat crowds and linger on terraces that overlook the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

Afternoon: Snack in Gülhane Park (simits and roasted chestnuts), then tram or walk across the Galata Bridge to climb the Galata Tower for a 360° skyline—Golden Horn, domes, and minarets all in one frame. Coffee fix at Kronotrop or Brew Coffee Works.

Evening: Dinner in Beyoğlu: Aheste (slow-cooked lamb, seasonal mezes), Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (counter-seating by the grill; smoky Adana and lamb chops), or Mikla Bar for a drink with a high-view terrace. Stroll down İstiklal’s side streets for late-night dondurma.

Day 4: Bosphorus cruise, Ortaköy to Arnavutköy, and a waterside night out

Morning: See the city from the strait that shaped it. Board a stylish small-group yacht with a stop on the Asian side: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side.

Float past Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and yali mansions as gulls race the bow.

Afternoon: Disembark near Ortaköy for kumpir (loaded baked potatoes) and a photo of the mosque framed by the Bosphorus Bridge. Walk the promenade north to Arnavutköy and Bebek for elegant waterside cafés—try Bebek Kahve or Momo Bebeköy for coffee and light bites.

Evening: Reserve Alexandra Cocktail Bar in Arnavutköy for inventive drinks with a view. Dinner options: Sur Balık (seafood terrace), Mükellef Karaköy (modern meyhane classics with city views), or a meyhane crawl of mezes and raki. Night owls can dance at Ruby by the water.

Day 5: Two continents in a day—Spice Market to Kadıköy and Moda

Morning: Start inside the fragrant Spice Bazaar—saffron, sumac, pomegranate molasses. Then cross to the Asian side on a food-forward tour that strings together a proper Turkish breakfast, market bites, and regional specialties: Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry.

It’s an easy, delicious way to learn ferries, neighborhoods, and what locals actually eat.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy Market streets—pickles at Özcan Turşu, fishmongers on Güneşli Bahçe Sokak, and coffee at Petra Roasting or Walter’s Coffee Roastery. Lunch at Çiya Sofrası (regional Anatolian dishes; don’t miss the seasonal stews and stuffed veggies) or Borsam Taşfırın for crisp lahmacun.

Evening: Sunset at Moda Park’s seaside rocks with tea from a çay bahçesi. Dinner in Moda at Koço (seafood meyhane since the 1920s) or Kadıköy’s Viktor Levi (wine house with a leafy courtyard). For craft cocktails, try Giritli 1926 Bar or Aylak.

Day 6: Golden Horn heritage, Balat color, and a historic hamam

Morning: Tram/bus to Fener-Balat. Wander Greek and Jewish heritage lanes—Orthodox Patriarchate, red-brick Phanar Greek High School, and rainbow houses on Kiremit Street. Sip at Coffee Department or Balat’s small roasteries and browse vintage shops.

Afternoon: Continue to Eyüp for the atmospheric Eyüp Sultan Mosque. Ride the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for a sweeping Golden Horn panorama and tea under plane trees. Lunch on crispy Balat “döner” wraps or Haliç-side fish sandwiches.

Evening: Sink into steam and marble at a 16th-century bathhouse experience: Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option.

After the scrub and foam massage, dine nearby at Hamdi (kebabs and pistachio baklava with a bridge view) or head to Çukurcuma for Cuma (seasonal plates in a townhouse setting).

Day 7: Grand Bazaar, last tastes, and farewell Bosphorus

Morning: Dive into the Grand Bazaar early (generally closed Sundays). Look for copperware on Kalpakçılar Caddesi, hand-loomed textiles, ceramic tiles, and artisan jewelry. Haggle politely and pay in cash for the best price.

Afternoon: Brunch at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Kurdish-style breakfast: herbed cheeses, honey-kaymak, menemen) or Namlı Gurme Karaköy (charcuterie-style spreads). Savor one last view from the Galata Bridge or Karaköy waterfront before departing for the airport.

Evening: If your flight is later, stroll Dolmabahçe’s exterior promenade for palace-and-Bosphorus photos or take a final tea at İnci Pastanesi. Then transfer to IST/SAW with ample time for traffic.

Optional add-ons and tips

• Dolmabahçe Palace: Ottoman-European grandeur and crystal chandeliers; typically closed Mondays.
• Chora (Kariye) mosaics: Stunning Byzantine art; check current visiting hours due to ongoing restoration phases.
• IstanbulKart: Reloadable transit card usable on tram T1 (great for Sultanahmet–Karaköy), metro, buses, and ferries.
• Dress and etiquette: Shoulders and knees covered for mosque visits; scarves available for women at entrances.

Handy excursions (bookable highlight experiences)

Consider these curated tours that dovetail with the itinerary:

• Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern guided tour — time-efficient, context-rich.
• Luxury Bosphorus yacht cruise — the city from its most poetic angle.
• Taste of Two Continents food tour — Europe-to-Asia flavor journey.
• Historical Turkish bath experience — restorative finale.

Restaurant short list to bookmark: Karaköy Lokantası (meze showcase), Çiya Sofrası (regional Anatolia), Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (grill masterclass), Neolokal (modern Anatolian), Sur Balık (sea view seafood), Balıkçı Sabahattin (classic fish), Koço (Moda meyhane), Pandeli (historic lunch), Viktor Levi (wine & courtyard), Hamdi (kebabs with a view). Sweet stops: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava) and Hafız Mustafa (puddings and Turkish delight).

Seven days in Istanbul fly by—in your memory you’ll keep the blue of tilework, the clang of tram bells, the scent of simit and mastic, and the slow glide of ferries at dusk. With this itinerary, you’ll see the icons, savor neighborhoods, and leave with a confident feel for the city’s pulse and pleasures.